Arizona

Criminal Procedure

Rule 23.1 – of Verdict; Sealed Verdict

(a)Form of Verdict. The jury’s verdict must be in writing, signed by the foreperson, and returned to the judge in open court. The foreperson may sign the verdict, either by affixing his or her signature on the verdict or by writing his or her juror number and initials on the verdict.
(b)Sealed Verdicts.

(1)Procedure. The court may instruct the jurors that if they agree on a verdict during a temporary adjournment of the court, the foreperson may sign the verdict as provided in (a), seal it in an envelope, and deliver it to the officer in charge. The jurors then may disperse and reassemble at a specified time and place. The officer must deliver the sealed verdict to the clerk as soon as practical. When the jurors have reassembled in the courtroom, the clerk must return the envelope to the judge in open court.
(2)Admonition. If the court authorizes a sealed verdict, it must admonish the jurors not to make any disclosure concerning their verdict, or speak with others concerning the case, until the verdict has been returned and the jury has been discharged.

Ariz. R. Crim. P. 23.1

Added August 31, 2017, effective January 1, 2018.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

Former Rule 23.1, relating to time and form of verdict, was abrogated effective January 1, 2018.